Unlock Design Efficiency: How Ottia's Detailed Estimates Lead to Better Project Outcomes

It’s a scenario familiar to anyone working in design and development: a client presents a design, you provide an initial estimate for implementation, and then… they suggest an optimization. A smart tweak, a streamlined process, or a simplification that hadn’t been apparent to the team during the initial assessment.  These moments are incredibly valuable, and at Ottia, we’ve built our process to encourage them. This blog post will explain how our approach to estimating – breaking projects down into small, manageable steps – not only delivers accuracy but also actively contributes to better design and more efficient project execution.

The Problem with Traditional Estimates

Traditional project estimates often suffer from a fundamental flaw: they’re too broad.  A common practice is to estimate based on overall features or entire sections of a project. For example, an estimate might be “Implement User Authentication – 40 hours.” While seemingly straightforward, this lacks the necessary granularity to truly understand the scope of work. 

This "big picture" approach hides the individual components, making it difficult to identify potential inefficiencies or optimization opportunities.  It’s akin to looking at a landscape from a distance – you see the general form, but miss the details that reveal the most effective path.  Consequently, overlooked complexities can surface later, leading to scope creep, budget overruns, and ultimately, client dissatisfaction.  

Furthermore, broad estimates rarely facilitate meaningful collaboration with clients. It’s hard for a client to provide constructive feedback on a vague description like “Implement User Authentication,” because they don't know how you're planning to implement it.  

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Ottia’s Granular Estimating Approach: A Different Perspective

At Ottia, we believe in a different philosophy. Our estimates are meticulously divided into small, step-by-step actions or deliverables – what we call small chunks – each typically estimated at under 8 hours of work.  

For the "Implement User Authentication" example, instead of a single 40-hour estimate, we might break it down like this:

*   Setup authentication backend (2 hours)

*   Implement user registration form (5 hours)

*   Implement login form (4 hours)

*   Add "forgot password" functionality (6 hours)

*   Integrate authentication with database (3 hours)

*   Testing and bug fixing (5 hours)

*   Documenting authentication process (2 hours)

This level of detail offers several key benefits.  Firstly, it forces a deeper dive into the project requirements, uncovering potential challenges and nuances early on.  Secondly, it provides complete transparency to the client. They can clearly see exactly what work is involved and offer insights based on their understanding of the design and their business needs.  

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Why Granularity Sparks Client-Driven Optimization

This is where the magic happens.  When clients review our detailed estimates, they often identify opportunities for optimization that they hadn’t initially considered. These optimizations aren't a reflection of shortcomings in the expertise; rather, they’re a result of the client's unique perspective and intimate knowledge of their target audience and business processes.

For instance, a client might realize that a certain feature, while visually appealing, isn't critical for initial launch and could be postponed to a later iteration.  Or there might be a simpler approach to data validation that achieves the same result with less development effort.  

Because each task is relatively small, these suggestions are far more concrete and actionable. Instead of debating a broad scope item, the conversation focuses on a specific 3-hour task. This allows for a collaborative discussion, leading to more effective solutions and a stronger client relationship.  

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The Benefits Extend Beyond Cost Savings 

While cost reduction is a welcome byproduct of optimization, the benefits of Ottia’s granular approach go far beyond simply saving money.

• Improved Accuracy: Breaking down the work into smaller chunks allows for more precise time estimations, reducing the likelihood of unexpected overruns.
• Enhanced Communication:  Detailed estimates provide a clear and common understanding of the project scope, minimizing misunderstandings and facilitating effective communication.
• Greater Flexibility:  The modular nature of our approach allows for easier adjustments to the project scope as needed, reflecting evolving requirements or client feedback.
• Reduced Risk:  Identifying potential issues early on reduces the risk of costly rework later in the development cycle.
• Better Client Satisfaction:  Collaborative optimization fosters a sense of partnership and ensures the final product aligns perfectly with the client’s vision.

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A Real-World Example: Streamlining a Complex Form

Recently, we were working on a project that involved implementing a complex application form with numerous conditional fields. Our initial estimate identified the creation of all potential field variations and logic as a significant undertaking.  However, after reviewing our detailed estimate, the client pointed out that, based on their user data, a large percentage of users would only need to complete a simplified version of the form. 

This insight allowed us to significantly reduce the scope of the initial implementation, focusing on the most common use cases and deferring the more complex scenarios to a later phase. Not only did this save the client time, but it also allowed us to deliver a functional product to market faster, providing them with valuable user feedback.  This kind of design optimization is invaluable.

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Ottia: Partnering for Efficient Design Implementation

At Ottia, we believe that fostering open communication and actively seeking client input are essential for delivering exceptional results. Our granular estimating approach is a cornerstone of this philosophy, enabling us to unlock hidden optimization opportunities and ensure that every project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Choosing a development partner that values transparency and collaboration is crucial for successful project implementation.  If you're looking for a team that prioritizes detailed planning, proactive communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement, explore how Ottia can help you bring your vision to life.